Tipperary Senior Hurling League Round Up April 2nd to 5th 2010

Thurles Sarsfields visited Drombane on Good Friday for their premier division clash with the local club in the County Senior Hurling league and came home satisfied after a comfortable 6 point win. The county champions lead by 1-10 to 0-7 at half time the goals coming from Richie Ruth. Two goals at the start of the second half by Pa Bourke gave Sarsfields a comfortable lead and put the result beyond doubt. The home side tried hard all through but could not close the gap on the scoreboard to make a close contest of the game. The best players for Thurles Sarsfields were Ger O’Grady, Pa Bourke, Michael Gleeson, Richie Ruth, Stephen Lillis while Upperchurch Drombane were best served by Colm Stpaleton and Pat Shortt.

Nenagh Éire Óg recorded a 2nd successive victory in this year’s county league with a comprehensive win over Drom-Inch in the Ragg on Friday evening last. Drom got first onto the scoresheet with a Johnny Ryan free. Nenagh came back with a pointed free from Kevin Tucker and a goal in the 8th minute by corner forward Brian Quinn. Drom Inch replied through Johnny Ryan (0-1 65), David Butler and Michael Everard before Nenagh capitalized on slack marking to score 3 more points to Drom’s 1. A long delivery from Hugh Maloney was spectacularly flicked to the net by Johnny Slattery. Nenagh went on to score 6 more points without reply before a late pointed free from Johnny Ryan left the scores at half time Nenagh Eire Og 2-10, Drom-Inch 0-7.

Drom got off to the worst possible start to the second half when Paddy Harrington goaled following a run by Hugh Maloney through the Drom defence. Drom then hit a purple patch and hit 4 points in a 10 minute period coming from Johnny Kennedy(1), Johnny Ryan(1) and two well taken point s from sub, Shane Delaney. Nenagh then replied with 2 pointed frees from Kevin Tucker and 2 points from Richie Flannery. Drom finished the game with 14 players when full back Eddie Costello was dismissed for a second yellow card offence. Drom Inch finished with points from the impressive Michael Everard and David Butler but Nenagh ended up deserving winners. Best for Nenagh were Richie Flannery, Hugh Maloney and Johnny Slattery while the home side was best served by Johnny Ryan, David Butler and Michael Everard, while Shane Delaney had a great game when introduced.

Following a tightly contested first half which ended level with both teams on 8 points, Holycross-Ballycahill took control of the game with 4 goals from play in the second half. The Mid club played a 2 man full forward line to great effect in the second half leaving the Toome defence exposed on several occasions. If ever there was proof that goals win games, this was it. This win will be a boost to Holycross in advance of their Mid Championship first round game against Loughmore Castleiney next weekend while Toome will look forward to the return of some familiar faces for their North championship game against old rivals Borris-Ileigh. Best for Holycross were Tossy Lowry, Shane Lanigan and D. McCullagh while Toome were best served by Paddy Grace with Denis Kelly, Paul McGrath and Willie Ryan playing well in the first half.

A last gasp strike four minutes into added time from Moycarkey Borris centre forward Robert Doran meant both sides shared the spoils in Saturday evenings County Senior Hurling League clash in Templemore. JK Brackens had led this tie from the early stages as they played with the strong wind blowing to the town end of the ground. Shane Bourke gave an outstanding first half display for the Templemore men scoring eight points, four of which came from play as the highly talented corner forward exploited the space created for him by a deep lying half forward line and left the home side leading at the break by 0-12 to 0-8.

In the second period the wind continued to play a significant role as Moycarkey Borris powered back into the match but it took until the closing stages before they managed to level with this resolute Brackens outfit. As the clock hit the hour mark Lorcan Egan rose highest to claim a delivery from an Eamon Corcoran free and the rangy midfielder swivelled and drove the sliotar over the bar to seemingly claim a victory for the men in white and black. However with just stoppage time to play Moycarkey Borris showed tremendous heart and resilience to keep on battling and failed to convert two opportunities before finally Doran stepped to his trusty left side and sailed over the equalising point in the forth added minute.

There were some impressive displays from both sides on a difficult evening to play hurling with Shane Bourke looking extremely dangerous along with Shane Scully for JK Brackens. Eamon Corcoran and Robert Doran fought out the best head to head duel on the pitch with fantastic grit and determination shown by both as they provided leadership for their team mates. Also on the Moycarkey side Ciaran Clohessy and Anthony Healy worked hard throughout and both popped up with some crucial scores.

Playing against the breeze Loughmore got the ideal start when Paul Brennan got a goal in the first minute. However it was downhill from there for the Mid team as Kilruane got more into the game and following Mikey Costello’s goal in the 25th minute, the teams were level at half time, 1-8 each. The turning point in the game came early in the second half when Eddie Connolly was sent off for a second yellow card offence. With Costello scoring another goal for the home side and Micheál Webster also being sent off, Kilruane emerged comfortable winners by 5 points, 2-16 to 1-14. Best for Kilruane MacDonaghs were Ray McLoughney, Mark O Leary, Mikey Costello and Niall O Meara while Evan Sweeney, Aidan McGrath and Eddie Connolly were best for Loughmore.

Templederry got back to winning ways in the County Senior League when they defeated a very depleted Burgess side in Templederry on a scoreline of 3-20 to 1-14. Templederry went 5 ponts ahead early in the game but Burgess came into the game and Templederry only has a 1 point half time lead on a scoreline of 0-9 to 0-8. However Templederry took complete control early in the second half and a hat trick of goals from Pa O’Leary ensured a comprehensive 12 point win for the Kenyons. It will hardly be as one sided when the sides meet in the North Championship!

Roscrea played with wind advantage in the first half and used it to good effect to lead by 1-7 to 0-2 at half time. Although wind advantage and a good start with 2 answered points from Aiden Savage and Michael Phelan, gave Ballybacon some hope of getting into the game, Roscrea scored 3 second half goals to leave the scoreline showing a comprehensive victory for Roscrea on a scoreline of 4-16 to 1-6. Padraig Carroll and Liam England were best for Roscrea while Michael Phelan, Brian Dillon and Aiden Savage were best for Ballybacon Grange.

Moneygall recorded their first victory of the league campaign with a win over Ballingarry in St. Flannan’s Park last Sunday. Moneygall had Sean Kennedy, Willie Greene and captain Paddy Fanning back from injury but were without John Doughan, Tommy Devereux and Michael Cahill from the team that played Burgess the previous week. Moneygall played with the advantage of the strong wind in the first half and built up a 1-15 to 0-6 lead by half time, the goal coming from Willie Greene. A Phil Fanning goal shortly after half time kept Moneygall in control in what was a low-scoring second half. Ballingarry had a penalty in the closing minutes but John King brought off a fine save from a well-struck shot. Best for Ballingarry were Dickie Norton, Michael Ivors and Philip Ivors.